The Guardian

Gareth Southgate steps down as England manager: reaction and updates – live

By Tom Davies (now) and Michael Butler (earlier),

4 hours ago

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2vfwir_0uSndVea00 — Gareth Southgate arrives at London Stansted airport with England’s squad after Euro 2024. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

3.17pm BST

Richard Hirst offers a full-throated defence of Southgate, and an admonishment to us:

Given the onslaught that Southgate has suffered from the media, including, unfortunately, some Guardian writers, I think on this of all days a one-sided eulogy from ordinary supporters is what we do want. Southgate has achieved more consistent success than any other England manager and has restored respect to English football in many ways. Give him the farewell he deserves!

3.12pm BST

The FA’s inbox right now (or perhaps not):

3.06pm BST

Back to the succession question : is Howe too young? Can Pochettino, Tuchel or Potter be tempted? Carsley as a continuity candidate? Ed Aarons has been running the rule over the likely candidates:

3.04pm BST

Some more comment on that Senegal game in 2022: “Mention of that Senegal game brings to mind some of the nonsense Gareth had (and, no doubt, his successor will have) to contend with,” says Tom Hopkins. “I distinctly remember the reliably awful ITV kicking off their post match coverage with a warning that ‘it wasn’t perfect’. As if, to all intents and purposes, putting a game against the African champions to bed by half time isn’t a huge achievement. We’re never going to stroll through a tournament dispatching supine opponents in the casual manner. Gareth understood that, maybe we should too then we can enjoy the good days rather than bemoan the absence of a fantasy?”

To which Matthew Hockey adds: “Your mentioning of the Senegal performance, I completely agree with, which is why I have been so baffled by the move away from the 433 shape. Bellingham looked better as an 8 than a 10, and the whole team looked better. I still don’t get the logic of tinkering with the best side we’ve had for generations for the sake of supposedly building the team around one player.”

Here’s a recap (that second goal very much reinforcing Matthew’s point):

2.50pm BST

'An unbelievable human being': Bellingham hails Southgate

Jude Bellingham paid tribute to “unbelievable human being” Gareth Southgate in an emotional Instagram post after apologising for England falling short in the final defeat to Spain, reports PA Media.

The fact is that we came up against a great opponent and fell short, it hurts that we were so close to history and yet couldn’t deliver for the England fans that backed us throughout the highs and lows of the tournament whether that was from back home or out in Germany in the stadiums,” he wrote. “For that we can only hold our hands up and apologise.”
The Real Madrid midfielder concluded: “Finally, I’d like to thank Gareth and his staff for the great memories during his tenure. From the point of view of a fan who has become a member of the squad, it’s been a rollercoaster of amazing emotions that has instilled hope and joy back into our country.
“It was a privilege being led by someone who is so dedicated and passionate, not only is Gareth easily one of the best coaches in the history of the national team but also an unbelievable human being. Thank you for everything and all the best in the next chapter, Gaffer.

Updated at 2.50pm BST

2.47pm BST

“The weird thing with Southgate going is you bring in someone else and, the effectively build the business from the ground up,” writes Ben Tuff. “Am genuinely surprised that in this day and age there is no proper succession plan. Southgate walks out the door and someone new comes in. No overlap.

In a well run business you’d have someone working through some kind of transition, especially where you have had a decent run of results. You want to share what works and what hasn’t. You want build on, not build up (again). Doesn’t mean those people have to be carbon copies.

I feel more nervous about someone new than having had Southgate, with the things we know were not so good, staying. The FA still doesn’t have a business head in its shoulders.”

To be fair, though Southgate and Holland are jumping ship, there are firmer and more coherent foundations in place within the whole St George’s Park setup than there ever used to be. Carsley for manager?

2.44pm BST

A sign of the limitations of statistics , is that Southgate’s win percentage record as England manager (59.8%) is lower than Fabio Capello’s (66%) and only just above Roy Hodgson’s (58.9%) but it is considerably ahead of the only other managers to have reached a semi-final in the past 58 years, Bobby Robson (49.5%) and Terry Venables (45.8% – though most of those were friendlies as he never had to lead the Euro 96 hosts through qualifiers).

Of course none can top Big Sam on 100%

2.27pm BST

Some more comments on memorable Southgate moments , from anon: “6-1 vs Panama, Pickford scoring one then saving one in the NL third place playoff, Shaw scoring in the first minutes and then Maguire blasting his penalty in the Euro final. Trippier vs Croatia, 6-0 vs Iran. Kane against Germany, the recovery to 3-3 in Munich. 3-0 up vs Spain in the first half. Jude’s bicycle kick, steamrolling Ukraine 4-0, 5 from 5 penalties against the Swiss.

“The inflatable unicorns, the biergartens, my mate running a full lap of the venue after we scored vs Denmark. Watching us win on penalties vs Colombia in the temporary stands at Munich airport, then driving into the city blaring Three Lions. These are all the things that were totally foreign to my formative experiences as an England fan until Gareth came along and they’re the stories I’ll reminisce about when the dust has settled. Ask me to remember a single moment like that (that was positive) between 2006 and 2018 and I’ll have nothing to draw on.

“Congratulations on getting out of the toxicity, Gareth, you deserve so much better.”

Some fine memories among that lot, which prompts me to add another: the 3-0 deconstruction of a very useful Senegal in 2022 – in that game England looked as balanced and composed – with some garnishes of style – as at any point in recent years. In fact there’s a case that Qatar 2022 saw England’s most complete tournament performances. Only the USA game was a stinker.

2.11pm BST

And now for a left-field suggestion , and not one without its appeal …

2.05pm BST

Here’s Jonathan Wilson’s assessment of the Southgate years:

It says everything about the changes Southgate wrought that he has left his successor a hugely difficulty legacy: now there is expectation; now people think England should be winning tournaments. Which, when you consider where England were when Southgate took over in 2016, is a remarkable achievement.

1.58pm BST

In a tournament full of political overspills – as if any tournament ever isn’t – Spain have added another layer:

The Gibraltar government has criticised the “rancid remarks” that members of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning side made at a victory rally in central Madrid on Monday night, and the territory’s football association is to make a formal complaint to Uefa over the matter.
The controversy, which follows Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in Sunday’s final, erupted after Spain’s captain, Álvaro Morata, and the midfielder Rodri chanted, “Gibraltar es español” (“Gibraltar is Spanish”), while on stage in front of a massive crowd in the Spanish capital’s plaza de Cibeles.

1.56pm BST

Rodri named official player of Euro 2024

Uefa has released its official team of the tournament. It contains six Spain players and one England player. Have a guess? Yep it’s … Kyle Walker.

The six Spanish players are Rodri, who was named player of the tournament, Lamine Yamal, Marc Cucurella, Dani Olmo, Fabian Ruiz and Nico Williams. France goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender William Saliba, Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji and Germany forward Jamal Musiala completed the XI.

They’re always stultifyingly conservative and obvious, these official XIs, and Giorgi Mamardashvili might have reason to feel aggrieved.

1.50pm BST

Part of the issue – to jump back on to a favourite hobby horse – and as is currently being discussed on Sky, is that a manager such as Eddie Howe is reportedly on twice as much money at Newcastle as he would earn in charge of England. The suffocating financial dominance of European elite club football means that the best are out of national associations’ reach. And Howe hasn’t even won anything yet.

1.46pm BST

Where next for Southgate? Readers Sharon Malley and Simon McMahon are both suggesting other national teams. “I have been pondering Southgate’s future,” says Sharon, “and wondering whether he would fancy an overseas stint – helming the USA, or Canada (semi-finalists in the Copa America) might be an attractive proposition, in the run-up to the North America World Cup. I doubt anyone from those countries would be too concerned that Southgate is not from their shores.

Simon has a lively suggestion: “If Southgate wants to stay in international management, maybe Scotland would be a good fit? Never mind winning tournaments, he’d be lauded as a hero if he managed to get us past the group stage. #SouthgateforScotland”

1.33pm BST

Gary Lineker had an up and down relationship with England’s performances during Euro 2024 but the former England striker has paid a strong and affectionate tribute to Southgate here:

Updated at 1.38pm BST

1.29pm BST

So, what are people’s favourite Southgate moments ? For all its progress, there haven’t been loads of epics, of the 4-1 v the Netherlands in 96, 5-1 in Germany in 2001 variety, which is why I found myself declaring last Wednesday’s semi-final win as the best Southgate occasion. But here’s a contender, and a decisive one in raising the bar on what was expected from his teams ever since:

1.24pm BST

Thanks Michael. Afternoon everyone . And we start with a royal tribute, from Aston Villa top boy Prince William:

Thank you for creating a team that stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest in 2024. Thank you for showing humility, compassion, and true leadership under the most intense pressure and scrutiny.
“And thank you for being an all-round class act. You should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved. W.

1.21pm BST

An email from Gary Naylor :

“I rather hope Southgate goes to the House of Lords with a brief covering sport and education, fits with the new government’s approach I venture. It’s clear that he’s an innovative thinker, understands the psychology of young athletes and can communicate effectively. His weaknesses – tactical rigidity, an excess of misplaced loyalty, a reluctance to seize the moment – don’t really matter there. At least he would irk Ian Botham and that has to count for something”.

Very difficult to argue against any of that. And I won’t, I’m handing the blog over to Tom Davies now. Cheers!

1.18pm BST

We ask the questions, you give the answers.

1.16pm BST

This was the front page of the Guardian’s sport section when Gareth Southgate was appointed in 2016.

1.11pm BST

“Without wishing to sound dramatic , if we go for a foreign manager to replace Southgate then I’m ABE [Anyone but England?] until it’s all over,” emails Rob Kelly. “It’s international football, which means pitching the best players and manager from one country against those of another. If we aren’t producing good enough managers then that’s our problem and we need to fix it. Using our financial clout just to buy in someone good from another country won’t solve the deeper rooted problems we consistently face, like lack of coherent identity. Tough to say as a Brighton fan but Potter in for me”.

I can see the purist logic in that, Rob, but still think it’s a fairly niche view. I’m sure the fans of Uruguay (led by Marcelo Bielsa, an Argentinian) and Georgia (led by Willy Sagnol, a Frenchman) are feeling pretty good about their country’s appointments.

12.58pm BST

Rice's Southgate tribute: 'Thank you gaffer'

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, who has appeared in every game for England at the last three major tournaments, also posted: “Thank you Gaffer. It’s been a privilege to play for England under your guidance. Memories that will stay with me forever. All the best in your next adventure.”

England and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford wrote on Instagram: “Completely gutted. This will hurt for a while. Appreciate everyone who supported us during the tournament and I’d like to thank all my teammates and staff for their work throughout. I also want to say a special thank you to the boss for always believing in me during his time with us and I would like to wish him all the best in his next steps. Thank you Gareth.”

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, who missed out on a place in Southgate’s Euros squad after picking up a calf injury in April, wrote on Instagram: “You made us all believe again – memories that will last forever. Thank you boss.”

Updated at 1.27pm BST

12.56pm BST

“I think Gareth Southgate stepping down is the best decision for everyone, emails Fin Fletch. “His man management can never be faulted and his overall record is obviously amazing. It was just that next step where he was found wanting coming up against top teams with set systems. We rode our luck this tournament and that papered over plenty of cracks. Thank you Southgate for breaking the penalty curse and showing quarter finals aren’t our limit.”

12.54pm BST

Gary Neville reacts:

I am not surprised. I thought Gareth would call it a day. I think there were hints through the tournament when he was speaking that he thought it might be the time. I am not sure it is based on Sunday’s result, it was just a feeling after that game.
He has had an amazing eight years and exceeded all expectations of every single England fan. He deserves to call it a day on his own terms, and he has done that. He knows England better than anybody. It was the right moment for him, he has done an outstanding job.
“He has achieved incredible things on the pitch, but he has also achieved incredible things off the pitch. How difficult it is to manage the politics of England, the media, the club-versus-country rivalries which existed, he has removed a lot of those barriers. He has handled penalties better than anybody, reduced the fear, so he has done an incredible job, but it will have taken a toll on him.

Southgate’s tactical flaws have been well covered , and the reaction here should not simply be a one-sided eulogy to his stint in charge, but I think Neville’s last par here is a concise summary of Southgate’s obvious merits.

12.43pm BST

Here is our gallery of Southgate’s tenure.

12.43pm BST

The Prince of Wales speaks.

12.37pm BST

12.34pm BST

With Steve Holland also gone , does this open the door for Ben White to return?

White is another option at right back, or even right centre back as part of a back three, but his best asset in this England team is his relationship and link up with Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka on the right wing. White understands Saka’s game perfectly, and makes really intelligent overlapping/underlapping runs to help Saka create space for himself, while also being an excellent defender.

12.25pm BST

Gary Lineker reacts.

12.19pm BST

Christian Falk is head of football at Bild , so should be a man in the know when it comes to Tuchel.

12.15pm BST

David has redrawn his cartoon and it is not ready for your viewing pleasure.

12.15pm BST

Southgate has spoken about it being “time for a change and a new chapter”. It is not immediately obvious what that would be. I’m not sure his obvious merits are that suited to club football, something he last experienced way back in 2009.

What could be interesting is if he took a backseat role at the FA, maintaining what he has built from afar, although perhaps a new manager was find that obtrusive.

It is the changes he has made to the culture around the England team – not just within the camp, where players are less cliquey, feel more supported, more welcome – but also outside of it, repairing the disconnect between his team and the fans/media. When he joined in 2016, off the back of a disastrous European Championship and the hiring/firing of Sam Allardyce, English international football was not in a good place.

11.54am BST

Ah.

11.48am BST

“He has been England’s most consistently successful manager , and has behaved with dignity and respect for others”, emails Richard Hirst. “The match against Spain was decided by the width of a toenail, and even then England almost got another equaliser. Small margins, as they say. So give Southgate the enormous credit he is due”.

11.44am BST

FA: interim solution in place if it is needed

The full statement from Mark Bullingham, the FA’s CEO, is below. There is a very interesting line buried at the bottom. Of a successor to Southgate, Bullingham confirms that the FA “aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. Our Uefa Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed .”

On behalf of English football, I would like to pay tribute to Gareth Southgate and to Steve Holland for everything they have achieved.
Over the last eight years they have transformed the England men’s team, delivering unforgettable memories for everyone who loves the Three Lions. We look back at Gareth’s tenure with huge pride – his contribution to the English game, including a significant role in player development, and in culture transformation has been unique. However, it is his record of winning tournament games which is most extraordinary.
In the 25 tournaments post 1966 before Gareth took charge, we had won seven knockout games. In his four tournaments we have won nine. So, in his eight years, he has won more games that really matter than in the previous 50 years.
And of course, we have had strong tournament performances throughout their tenure. We came so close to winning the Euros in London and securing the first trophy for our men’s team for over 50 years – and came so close again in Berlin on Sunday.
Before Gareth, our longest time ranked in the top five in the world was seven months. In his tenure we have been ranked there for six years.
Gareth has made the impossible job possible and laid strong foundations for future success. He is held in the highest regard by the players, the backroom team, by everyone at the FA and across the world of football.
We are very proud of everything Gareth and Steve achieved for England, and will be forever grateful to them.
The process for appointing Gareth’s successor is now under way and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible. Our Uefa Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed.
We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we won’t be commenting further on our process until we appoint.

Updated at 12.32pm BST

11.34am BST

Full statement from Gareth Southgate

As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.

But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager.

I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.

I could not have had anyone better alongside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation, and has been immense.

I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.

The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.

My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.

We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be.

I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.

Thank you, England – for everything.

11.31am BST

I personally support Barney Ronay’s idea here.

The only thing is that Klopp might be too busy playing padel and going to Jamie XX gigs to care about England’s issues at left back.

11.29am BST

These are the most likely successors for Southgate’s job :

• Eddie Howe (current Newcastle manager)
• Graham Potter (former Brighton and Chelsea manager)
• Thomas Tuchel (former Bayern, Chelsea, PSG and Dortmund manager)
• Mauricio Pochettino (don’t make me type Chelsea again)
• Lee Carsley (current England Under-21 manager and potentially the English Luis de la Fuente).

11.20am BST

Preamble

Hello all. Gareth Southgate has stepped down as England manager. We’ll have all the latest reaction and updates after his decision, and any news about who might replace him going forward.

Here’s Southgate’s statement.

As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all. But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager.